Rosy was never satisfied of the way she looked.  Why in the world was she born a cow? She was grazing all day next to Mr.Elegant’s horses. Those horses, unlike her and her family though, remained lean, light, and graceful no matter how much they ate. They could gallop all day over the fence, around the ranch while she struggled her way through the meadow. That was not fair! Rosy was not even sure anymore that eating green grass as some say, helps one stay fit and healthy.  Her cholesterol was rising, and her legs were getting heavier every day. Her friend advised her to see the family vet, Doc. “This one,” her friend told her, “can do magic, they say. Maybe he can solve your problem.”

Frantically, Rosy went to Doc and asked him to change her diet. She was convinced that eating meat would be the solution to her heart and muscle ache.  Maybe if she ate meat, she thought, she would be able to change herself from a stout, depressed cow into a fierce and self-confident lion. That way, she told her doctor, she would become respected and feared by her herd and neighbors. She would wander in the wilderness, proud of her noble race (lions are said to be the kings of the jungle). The doctor was confused: ” I am sorry”, he explained, “I cannot change your diet because you will die if I do.” Rosy was puzzled: “Why? I just want to be different! they told me you can do magic!” The doctor replied: “I can not change your diet.  You have to change your mind. That is the real magic.” Rosy was now even more lost:” How can I change my mind, Doc? I do not understand! I just want to be free! I do not want to look fat; I do not want to be slow; I do not want to be ugly; I want to be loved! The doctor answered: “Well, I do not want to be called Dumb (Doc is a donkey, and some folks think he is dumb); I wish I had shorter ears, but, you know what, I have learned to love what I am, and because I love myself, my friends love me and I have become a doctor as you see.  It is all in the mind, dear Rosy. Change your mind, and all your heartache and pain will disappear. That is the magic that will set you free.”

Rosy went home to her family.  Mum was worried about Rosy and gave her a big cow kiss. “Wow! no horse or lion could blow a kiss like that!”, Rosy thought to herself.  Rosy looked at mum, dad, baby Roseanne her sister; they were all beautiful.  She looked at her neighbors, the horses, clopping,trotting, thumping the ground like thunder; they were beautiful too. Rosy felt something new this time.  She was happy.  She did not want to be a horse or a grumpy lion. She loved being around them, but she just wanted to be with her family; that is where she belonged. For the first time,Rosy’s heartache was gone. For the first time,  her feet were lighter. For the first time, she felt beautiful. Doc’s words worked like magic!

Angelique Fallah,

Feb 29, 2012